Water kite



May 20, 1952 H. L. GROSS 2,597,317

WATER KITE Filed April 27, 1951 INVENTOR Patented May 20, i952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE flerbert z ii sl i a rfiton, Md.

Original application-April 26, 1949,, Serial No. 89,617, now Patent-No. 2,556,423,-- dated June 12, 1951, Divided and this application April 27, 1951, Serial No'.i 223,309

1 Claim; v (Cl. 43-43 13) 1 This invention relates to fishing tackle and equipment and especially tothatemployed for trolling or casting. Further it pertains to the use of a kite or-sail on a fishing line, for the purpose of guiding the hook and bait through a predetermined course in the water.

This is a division of application -Serial No. 39,617, now Patent No. 2,556,423.

The conventional fishing line employing a kite or sail is characterized in its travel through water by erratic movements that are not capable of being controlled. This is particularly objectionable where several fishermen are fishing from a boat close to one another 'as the environment will permit, with their lines tending to entangle with one another. Where the fishing is done from a moving marine vessel, the general tendency for the fishing lines is to follow the vessel directly behind and thereby placing the fisherman and the boat in the line of vision of the fish. In this invention, a kite or sail is attached to the fishing line to travel in the water, and is of a form that permits the line to be guided in any direction or depth selected by the fisherman. The kite or sail is preferably of an arcuate form with the concave face upwards and the loops for tieing it to the line, on the convex face. To increase the field of adjustability, the attaching loops are located variously over the whole area of the kite so that attachment is made possible by the main fishing line and hook lines to it in a number of divers combination arrangements.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved kite or sail for a fishing line, that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and'improved kite for a fishing line that can be tied into the, line and hook in a manner that will permit the directional travel to be controlled closely according to the general intentions of the fisherman, using the fishing line from a moving vessel or during trolling from a stationary location by pulling the line in.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved kite in conjunction with a fishing line designed for controlling the directional travel as to depth and lateral movement.

Other objects of the invention will be disclosed as it is more fully described.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, its objects. and the principles thereof, reference is made to the drawings attached herewith. These drawings in conjunction with the followi n g description outline a particular form of the invention by way of example, while the claim indicates the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a kite or sail embodying this invention;

j Figure 2, is an end view of Figure 1;

Figure 3, is a side elevation of this particular form of kite.

Similar reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the drawings. g w 7 In the particular form shown, a kite I0 consists of an arcuately bent plate having three side edges II, I2 and I3 respectively arranged in rectangular contour, the remaining portion of the periphery is cut on an appreciable arc I5, and 2,5, tapering to a relatively narrow area that extends to an enlarged portion which forms the guide fin I8. narrow section, to an approximate right angle to the plate and provided with loops IT. The underside of the plate II] is convexed andprovided with semi-circular loops that form anchoring points to enable parts of a fishing line 20 and the'hook line 2| to be coupled thereto. The loops are numbered individually to identify them in their different locations. Thus those along and adjacent to the edge II, are numbered from left to right, III, H2, H3, H4 and H5 respectively. Those along the edge I2, are I2I, I22, I23, I24 and I25. Those adjacent to the edge I3 are I3I, I32, I33, I34 and I35. A line of loops aligned with the proximate longitudinal axis of the plate are indicated at I4I I42, I43, I44 and I45.

Other loops in other parts of the field are at I5I and I52. The method of attaching the lines depends on the results desired. If for instance, it is desired to have the hook pulled in a direction aligned with the axis of the vessel on which the fisherman is located, the point of attachment of the fishing line 20 is preferably at H3 and the hook line 2| at IT both on the kite axis. In these positions the line will pull the kite directly in alignment with the boat. It is of course assumed that the boat or vessel is running in a definite and straight direction. The kite and line will follow a course that is straight and near the surface of the water. If a fish bites on the hook 2| it will pull the guide fin downwardly and the rectangular edge II will rise. The water pressing against the convex side of the kite in this position will tilt it so that its tendency will induce it to rise to the surface and pull the fish with it. If the fishing line 20 is This fin is bent, .inlts' attached to the loop I H and the hook to H5 the kite will be tilted angularly towards its side. This will induce the kite to swing off in an arc to the left of the extended axis line of the boat with the action of the guide fin tending to modify the amount of yaw. Should it be desirable to use the action of the guide fin to increase the amount of yaw, the line 20 may be attached to loop I25 with the hook to I I5. In this position the guide fin will be forward and will tend to angle out into the flow of water and its action will increase the tendency of the kite to yaw to the right oi the line of pull. The speed of the boat will determine the amount of arcuate swing taken by the kite. In these instances it is assumed that the kite is made of material such as metal that is of greater specific gravity than that of the water. Other positions taken by the kite will depend on the speed of the line pulling the kite, where the attachment is made by the fishing line and where the hook line is attached. If the pulling line is attached at or near the axis line, the tendency to yaw becomes less and the arcuate swing is at a smaller 'angle to the axis.

If the kite is of a type or material that will make its general specific. gravity less than that of the water in ,which it is floated, the action will be modified by; the tendency to float. This type is employed for conditions that make it desirable.

The movement of the kite can be varied in the water to create a drag on the line by placing the line 20 for example on loop I52. When the line is pulled on it causes the kite to assume a semi-vertical position in the water and will rotate in afcirculanmanner'. The diameter of the circular traveljis controlled by the placement of the various loops in a predetermined relation to the transverse and longitudinal axis as well as the radius used for the kite and the area of the guide fin. .Without going into the details of all the adjustments and combinations possible with the kite embodying this invention, it can be noted that most of its reactions may be figured out vand its use anticipated ahead of time.

The term loops is intended to be broad enough to include not only the bent formations made in the plate and shown in the drawings, but also any small mechanical attachment suitable for the line or hook line to be connected to the plate, at the locations indicated. The term yaw is intended to include the tendency of the plate or kite to swing in a lateral direction as it is pulled through the water, and trolling is the term used for designating the directional pulling of the line through the water.

While but one form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this one form only, as it is appreciated.;.that other forms could be made that would usethe same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A kite for a fishing line comprising an arcuate plate formed with three adjacent sides and edges of substantially retangular contour leading to a fourth side tapered towards a point, said plate being formed with loops at plural locations 'on the plate for the attachment of said fishing line, sinkers, and hook line, permitting their placement in combinations of selective character tending to tilt the plate at predetermined angles in the water through which the fishing line may be trolled and thereby control the direction of movement thereof as to depth and yaw, and said plate being bent at rightangles at its pointed end to provide a guide fin thereon.

HERBERT L. GROSS.

Name Date Number Gross June 12, 1951 

